Sofa bed and mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

A sofa bed and sofa bed mechanism are disclosed which provide a comfortable seating and a sleeping surface of normal bed height utilizing a major cushioning element which, in the sofa position, is folded and doubled. The cushioning element is supported in the sleeping position by four planar hinged elements. The mechanism provides initial forward movement of the cushioning element from the seating position and subsequent unfolding of the support members to provide a generally planar support for the cushioning element in the sleeping position.

United States Patent a ty Nov. 4, 1975 SOFA BED AND MECHANISM THEREFOR 3,654,896 10/1953 Coopersmith 5/36 [75] Inventor: M. Fillmore Harty, Bloomfield Hills,

Mi h, Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert B. Ingraham [73] Ass1gnee: The Dow Chemical Company,

Midland, Mich. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1974 A sofa bed and sofa bed mechanlsm are d1sclosed PP 537,307 which provide a comfortable seating and a sleeping surface of normal bed height'utilizing a major cushion- 52 us. (:1. 5/13; 5/29 hlg element which in the with), is foldeh and 51 1m. (:1. A47C 17/10 doubled The Cushioning element is SuPPOrted the [58] Field of Search 5 H3 17 18, 21 28 29131, sleeping position by four planar hinged elements. The 5/36 37 R 41 mechanism provides initial forward movement of the cushioning element from the seating position and sub- [56] References Cited sequent finfoiding of the sufppoilt menkhers to provide a enera anar su ort or t e cus ionmg e ement UNITED STATES PATENTS ingthe gs 2,832,083 4/1958 evcik 5/14 3,482,270 12/1969 lill 5/13 15 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of5 3,916,460

mm B

a b a 4 US. Patent Nov.4, 1975 Sheet3of5 3,916,460

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet4 0f5 3,916,460

Sheet 5 of5 3,916,460

U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 SOFA BED AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Various sofa beds employ different mechanisms which permit a sofa to be converted into a bed. The simpler sofa beds or convertible couches oftentimes form the sleeping configuration by rearranging the cushioning elements to provide a sleeping surface a few centimeters above the floor. In other convertible couches or sofa beds heavy spring loaded mechanisms permit unfolding of a mattress which may or may not be the primary seating cushioning element to form a desired sleeping surface. Oftentimes such mechanisms are heavy and potentially dangerous to the user. Other convertible couches or sofa beds are known which are upholstered with a composite foam and may employ a simple mechanism to provide a sofa bed which provides a sleeping surface at normal bed height wherein the body of the sleeper is generally parallel to the back of the sofa bed as disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 468,303 filed May 9, 1974. Such sofa beds in many instances are excessively long for many applications where space is limited. In such cases, where space is limited, it is generally desirable to have what is often known as a perpendicular sofa bed, that is, a sofa bed or a convertible couch wherein, in the sleeping configuration, a person sleeps with his body perpendicular to the back of the couch. Such perpendicular sofa beds often suffer from undue complexities of the operating mechanism and often are not conveniently and quickly converted from the couch configuration to bed configuration and vice versa. Frequently such perpendicular convertible couches are undesirably heavy and provide less than desired seating comfort or if seating comfort is emphasized, oftentimes comfort in the sleeping configuration is sacrificed.

It would be desirable if there were available an improved convertible couch which was readily converted to seating or sleeping configuration with minimal physical effort.

It would also be desirable if there were available a perpendicular convertible couch which would provide a high level of comfort in both the sleeping and the seating configurations.

It would also be desirable if there were available an improved mechanism for perpendicular convertible couches.

These benefits and other advantages are obtained in a convertible couch, the convertible couch having a frame, the frame having a front and a rear, a cushion element positioning assembly and a foldable cushioning element, the assembly comprising a first positioning means which permits the folded cushioning element to be moved from the back of the frame toward the front of the frame, at least four cushioning element support members of generally planar configuration, the cushioning element support members being first, second, third and fourth support members, the first support member being pivotally affixed to the first positioning means, the second support member being hingedly affixed in generally edge-to-edge relationship with the first support member, the third support member being hingedly affixed to the second support member at a location remote from and generally parallel to the location of attachment of the second support member to the first support member, the fourth support member being hingedly affixed to the third support member at a location parallel to and generally remote from location of attachment of the third support element to the second support element, the first, second, third and fourth support elements being foldable to a configuration closely approximating the dimension of either the first or fourth support element, the second and third support elements being disposable between opposed major faces of the first and fourth support elements on folding, the cushioning element being affixed adjacent to first and fourth support elements at locations generally remote from their regions of hinged attachment to the second and third support elements respectively, the cushioning element being compressible and having a major surface remote from the support element which has a length approximating the combined widths of the first, second, third and fourth support elements.

Also contemplated within the scope of the present invention is a sofa bed operating mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first or base member adapted to be affixed to a frame, the base member adapted to be affixed to a frame having a front and rear, the base member having a first or rear end and a second or front end, a first positioning means pivotally affixed to the base member, the first positioning means permitting limited motion in a direction toward or away from the rear of the base member, a pivot means aflixed to the first positioning means at a location remote from the base member, the pivot means having affixed thereto a first support member engaging means, the first support member engaging means having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed generally adjacent the pivot means and the second end being disposed remote from the pivot means, a second support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a third support member engaging means at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a fourth support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the third support member engaging means and pivotally affixed thereto at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second and third support member engaging means, the points of pivotal attachment all having generally parallel axes and means to support second and third support members when the first, second, and third and fourth support member engaging means are disposed in a generally colinear arrangement.

Further features and advantages will become more apparent when the following specification is taken in connection with the drawing wherein:

In FIG. 1 there is depicted a view of a sofa bed in accordance with the invention extended in the sleeping configuration.

In FIG. 2 there is schematically depicted a cross-sectional view of the sofa bed in accordance with the present invention in the closed or seating configuration.

In FIG. 3 there is schematically depicted a sofa bed operating mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 are detailed views of a portion of a mechanism such as is shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 depict views of the mechanism of FIG. 3 as it is converted from seating to sleeping configuration.

In FIG. 1 there is depicted an isometric representation of a sofa bed in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The sofa bed 10 is shown in the open position or sleeping configuration. The couch 10 comprises a frame (not shown) supporting a first arm 11 and a second arm 12 and a back 13. The arms 11 and 12 and back 13 as depicted are upholstered with a resilient material such as an appropriate synthetic foam. A cushioning element 15 extends from the back between the arms outwardly to provide a sleeping surface 17. A front or support member 18 is disposed beneath the cushioning member 15 at a location remote from the back13 and generally parallel thereto. A bolster 19 is draped upon the back 13. The bolster 19 is employed as a seating surface when the couch 10 is positioned in its'seating configuration.

In FIG. 2 there is schematically depicted a sectional view of a sofa bed 20 similar to the sofa bed 10 of FIG. 1. The sofa bed 20 comprises a frame 21 having a back 22, floor engaging members or feet 23 and 24, and the back 22 supports a cushioning assembly 26. The cushioning assembly 26 comprises a more or less wedgeshaped plastic foam member 27 rigidly affixed to the back 22 and extends generally away from floor engaging members or feet 23 and 24. A layer of cushioning foam 28 is disposed on an inclined face of the wedgeshaped member 24 and faces away from the back of thecouch 20. A removable cushion 29 is disposed on the layer 28 remote from the back portion 27. An upholstered am 30 is also carried by the frame 21. A principal cushioning element 31 is disposed within the space generally defined by the frame 21, the arm 30 and the remaining arm not shown and the back cushioning assembly 26. The principal cushioning element 31 is of composite construction and has a first or major layer 32 beneficially made of a resilient foam having substantial resistance to deformation under pressure applied thereto by a human body but sufficiently yieldable to provide the desired degree of comfort. The cushioning layer 32 has a first or inner end 33 and a second or outer end 34. The first end 33 is disposed generally adjacent the support member 24 which is remote from the back 22. The second end 34 is disposed immediately adjacent the first end 33 and the configuration of the cushioning member 31 as depicted is generally U- shaped wherein the spacing of the legs of the U is extremely narrow relative to the thickness of the legs. At the second end 34 is disposed a less resilient cushioning portion 35 which provides additional stiffness to the edge of the sofa bed when in the seating condition and provides additional support to the legs of a person seated thereon. Such additional stiffening substantially reduces the phenomenon known as roll-off. The cushioning layer 32 has a first major face 37 and a second major face 38. On the faces 37 and 38 are disposed layers 39 and 41 respectively of a soft, yieldable foam such as open-cell flexible polyurethane foam. Beneficially, the layers 39 and 41 are adhered or affixed to the layer 32. Advantageously, a generally nonstretchable scrim such as a square-woven nylon netting is disposed at the interface between the layers 39 and 32, such scrim being applied when the cushioning layer 32 is in a generally planar configuration. A detachable bolster 42 is disposed over the otherwise exposed portion of the cushioning element 31. A cushioning member support assembly generally designated by the reference numeral 44 is disposed generally between the legs of the U formed by the cushioning element 31. The support assembly comprises a first cushioning support member 45 having a first end 46 and a second end 47. The first end 46 is supported by the frame 21 by means not shown. The second end 47 of the support member 45 is pivotally affixed to a second support member 48 by means of a pivot 49. A third support member 51 is pivotally affixed to member 48 by the pivot 52. The axes of pivots. 49 and 52 are parallel and remotely disposed from each other. A fourth support member 54 is pivotally affixed to the third support member 51 by means of a pivot 55. The support members 45, 48, 51 and 54 are all generally planar elements which extend substantially the entire length of the couch 20. The cushioning layer 32 is affixed to the support members 45 and 54 at locations remote from the'pivots 49 and 55. A front support member 56 is affixed to the edge of the fourth support member 54 at a location remote from the pivot 55. Beneficially, the front support member maintains the second end 34 of the cushioning layer 32 at a fixed distance from a floor such as the floor 58. Beneficially, one or more rollers or casters 59 engage the floor 58. As depicted in FIG. 2 the cushioning element 31 in the seating position engages the lower portion of the frame and when deflected by a load such as by a person sitting on the bolster 42 the support members 45, 48, 51 and 54 are deflected downwardly to give an added sense of comfort. The support members 45, 48, 51 and 54 can unfold to provide a planar surface which supports the cushioning element 31. The outermost dimension of the layer 39 as shown in FIG. 2 is about equal to the developed length of the support members 45, 48, 51 and 54 when they arearranged in generally coplanar configuration. The cushioning member which is affixed to the support members 45 and 54 at locations remote from the pivots 49 and 55 is compressed substantially as the support members are folded into the position depicted in FIG. 2. The inclusion of a scrim at the surface 37 prevents much stretching of the layer 32 adjacent the foam layer 39 and forces compression of the foam in the general region of the surface 38. As depicted in FIG. 2 the side of the cushioning element 31 adjacent the support members is obviously too short to permit unfolding of the support members 45, 48 and 51 to a generally coplanar configuration. However, the cushioning element is in a compressed condition when in the illustrated configuration and on opening or unfolding of the support members 45, 48, 51 and 54 the foam of the cushioning element 31 regains its original length.

In FIG. 3 there is schematically depicted a sofa bed mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral 60. The mechanism 60 comprises in cooperation a base member 61. The base member 61 has a first or rear end 62 and a second or front end 63. The base member 61 is adapted to be secured to an appropriate frame or base by means of openings 64. The base member 61 hasafiixed thereto a first positioning means 65. The first positioning means 65 permits motion in a direction generally parallel to the base member 61, that is toward or away from the back of the sofa bed. The positioning means 65 comprises a first elongate arm member 66 having a first end 67 and a second end 68. The first end 67 of the arm 66 is pivotally affixed to the base member 61 and extends upwardly from the base of a frame (not shown) carrying the operating mechanism. A second positioning means positioning arm 69 having a first end 71 and a second end 72 is pivotally affixed to the base member 61 by its first end 71. A pivot assembly 74 is pivotally afiixed to the second end 68 of the first arm 66 by pivot 76 and to the second arm 72 of the second arm 69 by pivot 77. The base member 61, first arm 66, second arm 69 and pivot assembly 74 fonn a parallelogram four-bar linkage which permits motion of the pivot assembly 74 in a direction generally parallel to the base 61. The pivot assembly 74 comprises a pivot assembly base plate 75 which carries the pivots 76 and 77. The plate 75 carries sequence locking means 78 shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. The pivot assembly 74 has a first pivot arm 79 having a first end 81 and a second end 82. The first pivot arm 79 is pivotally affixed to the pivot 76 at the first end 81. A second pivot arm 84 having a first end 85 and a second end 86 is pivotally affixed to the plate 75 by the pivot 87. The pivot 87 is disposed at a location within the parallelogram formed by the four-bar linkage of the positioning means 65. Adjacent the pivot means 74 is a first support member engaging means or first support arm 89. The support arm 89 has a first end 91 and a second end 92. The support arm as depicted in FIG. 3 extends generally parallel to the base 61 and is maintained in spaced relationship therefrom. Ann 79 is pivotally affixed to arm 89 by means of pivot 93 which engages the second end 82 of the arm 79. Arm 84 is pivotally affixed to arm 89 by pivot 94 which engages the second end 86 of the arm 84. Pivot 94 is disposed generally adjacent the first end 91 of arm 89 and pivot 93 is generally adjacent pivot 94 and remotely disposed from first end 91. The first support engaging means arm 89 is pivotally affixed to a second support means engaging arm 96. The arm 96 has a first end 97 and a second end 98. The second end 92 and first end 96 of arms 89 and 96 respectively, are pivotally attached by pivot means not shown. A third support engaging means arm 101 is disposed generally parallel to arms 89 and 96. The arm 101 has a first end 102 and a second end 103. The arms 96 and 101 are pivotally attached to each other at about their midpoint by means of their pivot 105. A fourth support engaging means arm 107 is disposed generally parallel to arm 101. The arm 107 has a first end 108 and a second end 109. Arms 107 and 101 are pivotally affixed at second end 103 of arm 101 and first end 108 of arm 107 by a pivot means not shown. A front support means 1 1 1 is affixed to second end 109 of arm 107. As depicted in FIG. 3 support means 111 is of generally vertically extending planar configuration. A cushioning element 112 is disposed about the positioning mechanism. A second positioning mechanism 60a is oppositely disposed from the mechanism 60. A shaft 124 is rigidly afiixed to arm 69 of the first end 71 and to the corresponding arm of the assembly 60a.

In FIG. 4 there is depicted a detailed schematic rep resentation of a pivot assembly equivalent to the pivot assembly 74 of FIG. 3 generally designated by the reference numeral 740. The assembly 74a has a base plate 75a, arms 66a, 69a, 79a and 84a. A locking mechanism 78a is disposed partially within the plate 75a. The plate 75a defines an elongate slot 113. The slot 113 extends entirely through the plate 75a. A tongue or latching member 1 is affixed to the plate 75a at a location indicated by the reference numeral 116. The location 116 is remote from the slot 113. The latching member 115 remote from the location 113 defines a first arm engaging means or boss 117. The arm engaging means 117 engages a recess 118 defined as arm 6911.

In FIG. 5 there is depicted a sectional view of the assembly 74a taken along the line 5-5 thereof. The latching member 115 is of generally curved configuration and has an arm engaging boss 117 adapted to engage the arm 690 when the arm 84a is moved thereover and causes the boss 117 to project or protrude out- 6 wardly from the slot 1 13 and engage opening 1 18 of the arm 690 by means of the boss 117.

In FIG. 6 the mechanism 60 of FIG. 3 has been moved forward and the arms 66 and 69 rotated about their first ends 67 and 71 respectively. This motion is suficient to free at least a major portion of the cushioning member 31 from the back portion 27. In FIG. 6 there is depicted a connecting shaft 124 which is rigidly affixed to the first end 71 of the arm 69 and rotates about the axes of the pivot 125. The shaft 124 is connected to a like-operating mechanism disposed adjacent the opposite end of the sofa bed.

In FIG. 7 there is depicted a view of the mechanism 60 in a partially opened configuration wherein the front support 111 has been drawn away from the base 61. Ann 79 has been forced into a more upright position. Arm 84 is concealed behind plate and is indicated in dotted configuration. Ann 89 has pivoted through about degrees. Arms 96 and 101 have been moved apart to reveal link members 101a and 101b. The arms 96 and 101 are pivoted at about their midpoint by means of pivot 105. The link member 101a is pivotally connected to second end 102 of arm 101 and pivotally connected to a location near the center of arm 89. Link l0lb is pivotally connected to second end 98 of arm 96 and to the location gene rally adjacent the center of arm 107. The arms 89, 96, 101, 107 and the links 101a and l0lb form a lazy tongs assembly.

In FIG. 8 there is depicted a view of the operating mechanism 60 fully extended and supporting a first support member or panel 126 which is hingedly afiixed to a second planar support member 127. A third support member 128 is affixed to the second member 127 and a fourth member 129 is pivotally affixed to the third member 128. With the mechanism extended the four supporting members 126, 127, 128 and 129 provide a planar surface which conveniently has a cushioning member thereon, equivalent to the cushioning member of FIG. 2. The linkage arrangement as depicted in FIGS. 3 through 8 provide a convenient and relatively rigid support when a convertible couch is converted in a sleeping position.

In returning the bed to the seating configuration the support 1 11 is pushed toward the base 61 and folds to the configuration shown in FIG. 7. As folding is continued the arms 89, 107, 101 and 96 achieve approximately parallel configuration. The arm 89 rotates about an additional 115 degrees at about the pivot assembly 74. The cushioning member such as the member 31 of FIG. 1 is compressed in the region immediately adjacent the point of pivotal connection of arms 96 and 101. The cushioning member is then oriented in a plane generally as depicted in FIG. 2 but the rearmost portion thereof is slightly forward of the back member 26. The front support is then pushed backward. The arms 66 and 69 then pivot to the position shown in FIG. 3.

In construction of convertible sofa beds in accordance with the present invention, the cushioning member support members may be directly hinged to each other so the cushioning support engaging means are directly pivotally attached. For maximum rigidity employing a minimum quantity of materialusually it is desired that both of the foregoing modes of pivotal connection be employed.

The upholstery of couches in accordance with the present invention beneficially may be prepared in accordance with well-known procedures. It is particularly desirable and advantageous to employ composite foams such as those that are commercially available employing an open-celled polyurethane matrix containing expanded polystyrene or styrene polymer particles. Such composite foams are well-known and are set forth in US. Pat Nos. 3,251,916; 3,503,840; 3,509,079; 3,607,797; 3,662,043; 3,663,469 and application Ser. No. 468,303 filed May 9, 1974 the teachings of which are herewith incorporated by reference thereto. Advantageously such composite foams are readily prepared in almost any desired degree of resiliency. If, for example, a foam layer such as the layers 28, 39, 41 and bolster 42 as shown in FIG. 2, are of open-celled polyurethane foam containing either no expanded styrene polymer foam particles or up to about volume percent polystyrene particles, the principal cushioning portion such as the layer 32 beneficially is of similar composition but contains from about 4 to 12 volume percent expanded styrene polymer particles whereas the more rigid portions such as the edge 34 contains from about to 15 volume percent expanded resilient polystyrene particles. The structural or load supporting portions of the sofa bed such as the back portion 27, the arm structure utilizes composite foam containing from about 15 to 55 volume percent of the expanded polystyrene particles. Thus, as the proportion of expanded polystyrene particles is increased, the rigidity of the foam is increased. Such composite foams are well known and are commercially available.

Although convertible couches in accordance with the present invention are beneficially prepared employing composite foams, other cushioning and upholstery material may also be employed including the foams of rubber, both synthetic and natural. The suitability of any particular cushioning or upholstery material or any particular location in the convertible couches of the present invention is readily determined by means of the indentation load deflection. The indentation load deflection is meant the force in pounds per 50 square inches to cause the cushioning material to be compressed to a thickness which is a specified percentage of its original thickness. Most commonly these values are taken at percent compression and at 65 percent compression. The force required for compression of 25 percent, that is to a thickness of 75 percent of the original thickness, is an indication of the initial softness of the foam; while the value at 65 percent compression, that is to a thickness of 35 percent of the original thickness of the foam, is indicative of its load bearing characteristics. For example, a foam having a low indentation load deflection at both 25 percent and 65 percent is soft and compresses readily and is usually not desirable as the only cushioning element employed over a hard surface. Generally for use in a convertible couch in accordance with the present invention a structural foam such as components 27 of FIG. 2 have a 25 percent indentation load deflection of 50 pounds per 50 square inches as a minimum value and a 65 percent minimum value of 250 pounds per 50 square inches. Advantageously, a minimum 65 percent value is 400 pounds per 50 square inches or greater. Beneficially such relatively rigid foams may also be used for edge 34 of FIG. 2. Components such as component layer 32 of the couch of FIG. 2 has an indentation load deflection of from about 18 to 35 pounds per 50 square inches, and beneficially from about 22 to 28 pounds per 50 square inches and a 65 percent indentation load deflection of 63 to 122 pounds per 50 square inches and preferably from about 84 to 122 pounds per 50 square inches. A more flexible 8 foam is required for portions of the convertible couch of the invention indicated in FIG. 2 by reference numerals 28, 29, 39, 41 and 42 and such a material has indentation load deflection of from about 10 to 30 pounds per 50 square inches at 25 percent and beneficially from 10 to 15 pounds per 50 square inches. At 65 percent compression the value is from 18 to 54 pounds per 50 square inches and preferably from 18 to about 27 pounds per 50 square inches.

Convertible couches prepared in the foregoing manner with composite foams are extremely sturdy and light in weight. Oftentimes in order to provide the desired mass that is usually expected of a piece of furniture of the size of the sofa bed of the present invention, it is desirable to fill or at least partially fill the hollow frame 11 with a material such as sand.

As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the present invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description. For this reason, it is to be fully understood that all of the foregoing is intended to be merely illustrative and is not to be construed or interpreted as being restrictive or otherwise limiting of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible couch, the convertible couch having a frame, the frame having a front and a rear, a cushion element positioning assembly and a foldable cushioning element, the assembly comprising a first positioning means which permits the folded cushioning element to be moved from the back of the frame toward the front of the frame, at least four cushioning element support members of generally planar configuration, the cushioning element support members being first, second, third and fourth support members, the first support member being pivotally affixed to the positioning means, the second support member being pivotally affixed in generally edge to edge relationship with the first support member, the third support member being pivotally affixed to the second support member at a location remote from and generally parallel to the location of attachment of the second support member to the first support member, the fourth support member being pivotally affixed to the third support member at a location parallel to and generally remote from location of attachment of the third support element to the second support element, the first, second, third and fourth support elements being foldable to a configuration closely approximating the dimension of either the first or fourth support element, the second and third support elements being disposable between opposed major faces of the first and fourth support elements on folding, the cushioning element being affixed adjacent to first and fourth support elements at locations generally remote from their regions of hinged attachment to the second and third support elements respectively, the cushioning element being compressible and having a major surface remote from the support element which has a length approximating the combined widths of the first, second, third and fourth support elements.

2. The couch of claim 1 including a back.

3. The couch of claim 2 including arms.

4. The couch of claim 1 wherein the cushioning element is synthetic resinous foam.

5. The couch of claim 1 wherein the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage.

6. The couch of claim including a stop means to limit movement fo the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame.

7. The couch of claim 5 wherein the pivot means comprises a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, the first and second pivot arms being generally spaced apart and in the sleeping configuration, and the first and second pivot arms forming a cross when disposed in a seating configuration.

8. The couch of claim 1 wherein the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn afiixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member, the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a lo cation remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally parallel sideby-side configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position.

9. A convertible couch, the convertible couch having a frame, the frame having a front and a rear, a cushion element positioning assembly and a foldable cushioning element, the assembly comprising a first positioning means which permits the folded cushioning element to be moved from the back of the frame toward the front of the frame, the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally afi'ixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage, a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame, at least four cushioning element support members of generally planar configuration, the cushioning element support members being first, second, third and fourth members, the first support member being pivotally affixed to the positioning means by a pivot means, the second support member being pivotally affixed in generally edge to edge relationship with the first support member, the pivot means comprising a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to fonn a second fourbar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, the first and second pivot arms being generally spaced apart and in the sleeping configuration, the first and second pivot arms forming a cross, in the seating configuration the third support member being hinged or pivotally affixed to the second support member at a location remote and generally parallel to the attachment to the first support of the second support member, the fourth support member pivotally attached to the third support member at a location parallel to and generally remote from the attachment of the third support member to the second support member, the first, second and third support members being foldable to a configuration closely approximating the dimension of either the first or fourth support member, the second and third support members being disposable between opposed major faces of the first and fourth support members on folding, the second and third support members being pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member being pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally side-by-side parallel configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position, the cushioning element being affixed adjacent first and fourth support members at locations generally remote from their regions of hinged attachment to the second and third support members respectively, the cushioning element being compressible and having a major surface remote from the support element which has a length approximating the combined widths of the first, second, third and fourth support elements.

10. A sofa bed operating mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first or base member adapted to be afiixed to a frame, the base member adapted to be affixed to a frame having a front and rear, the base member having a first or rear end and a second or front end, a first positioning means pivotally affixed to the base member, the first positioning means permitting limited motion in a direction toward or away from the rear of the base member, a pivot means afiixed to the first positioning means at a location remote from the base member, the pivot means having affixed thereto a first support member engaging means, the first support member engaging means having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed generally adjacent the pivot means and the second end being disposed remote from the pivot means, a second support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second end of the first support member engaging means at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a third support member engaging means at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a fourth support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the third support member engaging means and pivotally affixed thereto at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second and third support member engaging means, the points of pivotal attachment all having generally parallel axes and means to support second and third support members when the first, second, and third and fourth support member engaging means are disposed in a generally colinear arrangement.

11. The mechanism of claim wherein the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member has pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage.

12. The mechanism of claim 11 including a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame.

13. The mechanism of claim 11 wherein the pivot means comprises a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the base plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot base plate, the first and second pivot arms being in generally spaced apart relationship in the sleeping configuration, and the first and second pivot arms forming a cross in the seating configuration.

14. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally parallel side-by-side configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position.

15. A sofa bed operating mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first or base member adapted to be affixed to a frame, the base member having a first or rear end and a second or front end, a first positioning means pivotally affixed to the base member, the first positioning means comprising a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage, a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front end of the base member, the first positioning means permitting limited motion in a direction toward or away from the rear of the base member; a pivot means afr'ixed to the first positioning means at a location remote from the base member, the pivot means having affixed thereto a first support member engaging means, the pivot means comprising a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivotal arm pivotally affixed to the base plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, with the further limitation the first and second pivot arms are in generally spaced apart relationship in the sleeping configuration, the first and second pivot arms forming a cross in the seating configuration, the first support member engaging means having a first end and a second end, the support member first end being disposed generally adjacent the pivot means and the support member second end being disposed remote from the pivot means, a second support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a third support member engaging means pivotally afiixed to the second support member engaging means at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second support member engaging means to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a fourth support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the third support member engaging means at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second and third support member engaging means, the points of pivotal attachment all having generally parallel axes and means to supportsecond and third support members when the first, second, and third and fourth support member engaging means are disposed in a generally colinear arrangement with the further limitation that the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the first link arm to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link ann which is pivotally attached to the first member at a lo- 14 parallel configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position. 

1. A convertible couch, the convertible couch having a frame, the frame having a front and a rear, a cushion element positioning assembly and a foldable cushioning element, the assembly comprising a first positioning means which permits the folded cushioning elemenT to be moved from the back of the frame toward the front of the frame, at least four cushioning element support members of generally planar configuration, the cushioning element support members being first, second, third and fourth support members, the first support member being pivotally affixed to the positioning means, the second support member being pivotally affixed in generally edge to edge relationship with the first support member, the third support member being pivotally affixed to the second support member at a location remote from and generally parallel to the location of attachment of the second support member to the first support member, the fourth support member being pivotally affixed to the third support member at a location parallel to and generally remote from location of attachment of the third support element to the second support element, the first, second, third and fourth support elements being foldable to a configuration closely approximating the dimension of either the first or fourth support element, the second and third support elements being disposable between opposed major faces of the first and fourth support elements on folding, the cushioning element being affixed adjacent to first and fourth support elements at locations generally remote from their regions of hinged attachment to the second and third support elements respectively, the cushioning element being compressible and having a major surface remote from the support element which has a length approximating the combined widths of the first, second, third and fourth support elements.
 2. The couch of claim 1 including a back.
 3. The couch of claim 2 including arms.
 4. The couch of claim 1 wherein the cushioning element is synthetic resinous foam.
 5. The couch of claim 1 wherein the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage.
 6. The couch of claim 5 including a stop means to limit movement fo the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame.
 7. The couch of claim 5 wherein the pivot means comprises a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, the first and second pivot arms being generally spaced apart and in the sleeping configuration, and the first and second pivot arms forming a cross when disposed in a seating configuration.
 8. The couch of claim 1 wherein the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member, the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link armS in a generally parallel side-by-side configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position.
 9. A convertible couch, the convertible couch having a frame, the frame having a front and a rear, a cushion element positioning assembly and a foldable cushioning element, the assembly comprising a first positioning means which permits the folded cushioning element to be moved from the back of the frame toward the front of the frame, the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage, a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame, at least four cushioning element support members of generally planar configuration, the cushioning element support members being first, second, third and fourth members, the first support member being pivotally affixed to the positioning means by a pivot means, the second support member being pivotally affixed in generally edge to edge relationship with the first support member, the pivot means comprising a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, the first and second pivot arms being generally spaced apart and in the sleeping configuration, the first and second pivot arms forming a cross, in the seating configuration the third support member being hinged or pivotally affixed to the second support member at a location remote and generally parallel to the attachment to the first support of the second support member, the fourth support member pivotally attached to the third support member at a location parallel to and generally remote from the attachment of the third support member to the second support member, the first, second and third support members being foldable to a configuration closely approximating the dimension of either the first or fourth support member, the second and third support members being disposable between opposed major faces of the first and fourth support members on folding, the second and third support members being pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member being pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally side-by-side parallel configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position, the cushioning element being affixed adjacent first and fourth support members at locations generalLy remote from their regions of hinged attachment to the second and third support members respectively, the cushioning element being compressible and having a major surface remote from the support element which has a length approximating the combined widths of the first, second, third and fourth support elements.
 10. A sofa bed operating mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first or base member adapted to be affixed to a frame, the base member adapted to be affixed to a frame having a front and rear, the base member having a first or rear end and a second or front end, a first positioning means pivotally affixed to the base member, the first positioning means permitting limited motion in a direction toward or away from the rear of the base member, a pivot means affixed to the first positioning means at a location remote from the base member, the pivot means having affixed thereto a first support member engaging means, the first support member engaging means having a first end and a second end, the first end being disposed generally adjacent the pivot means and the second end being disposed remote from the pivot means, a second support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second end of the first support member engaging means at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a third support member engaging means at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a fourth support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the third support member engaging means and pivotally affixed thereto at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second and third support member engaging means, the points of pivotal attachment all having generally parallel axes and means to support second and third support members when the first, second, and third and fourth support member engaging means are disposed in a generally colinear arrangement.
 11. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein the first positioning means comprises a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member has pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage.
 12. The mechanism of claim 11 including a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front of the frame.
 13. The mechanism of claim 11 wherein the pivot means comprises a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the base plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot base plate, the first and second pivot arms being in generally spaced apart relationship in the sleeping configuration, and the first and second pivot arms forming a cross in the seating configuration.
 14. The mechanism of claim 10 wherein the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally affixed to a second link arm Which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally parallel side-by-side configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position.
 15. A sofa bed operating mechanism, the mechanism comprising a first or base member adapted to be affixed to a frame, the base member having a first or rear end and a second or front end, a first positioning means pivotally affixed to the base member, the first positioning means comprising a four-bar linkage including a base member, the base member having pivotally affixed thereto first and second generally parallel arms, a pivot assembly plate pivotally affixed to the first and second arms to provide a generally parallelogram four-bar linkage, a stop means to limit movement of the first positioning means in a direction toward the front end of the base member, the first positioning means permitting limited motion in a direction toward or away from the rear of the base member; a pivot means affixed to the first positioning means at a location remote from the base member, the pivot means having affixed thereto a first support member engaging means, the pivot means comprising a first pivot arm pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly plate, a second pivot arm pivotally affixed to the plate, the first pivot arm being pivotally affixed generally in a region of the first arm, a second pivotal arm pivotally affixed to the base plate at a location closer to the base member than the point of pivotal attachment of the second arm to the pivot assembly plate, the first pivot arm and second pivot arm being pivotally affixed to the first support member at a location generally remote from the point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to form a second four-bar linkage wherein the four bars consist of a portion of the pivot assembly plate, with the further limitation the first and second pivot arms are in generally spaced apart relationship in the sleeping configuration, the first and second pivot arms forming a cross in the seating configuration, the first support member engaging means having a first end and a second end, the support member first end being disposed generally adjacent the pivot means and the support member second end being disposed remote from the pivot means, a second support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a third support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the second support member engaging means at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second support member engaging means to the second end of the first support member engaging means, a fourth support member engaging means pivotally affixed to the third support member engaging means at a location remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the second and third support member engaging means, the points of pivotal attachment all having generally parallel axes and means to support second and third support members when the first, second, and third and fourth support member engaging means are disposed in a generally colinear arrangement with the further limitation that the second and third support members are pivotally attached to each other at a location about midway along their length, the end of the second support member remote from its location of pivotal attachment to the first support member is pivotally affixed to a first link arm which is in turn affixed to a location on the fourth support member remote from the point of pivotal attachment of the first link arm to the third support member and that the end of the third support member remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the fourth support member is pivotally aFfixed to a second link arm which is pivotally attached to the first member at a location remote from its point of pivotal attachment to the second support member to thereby form a lazy tongs configuration which can be positioned to dispose first, second, third and fourth support members and first and second link arms in a generally side-by-side parallel configuration when the mechanism is folded in the seating position or in a generally colinear arrangement when the mechanism is extended to the sleeping position. 